Therefore, he "clarified" himself by saying that, "my aim in writing the column was not to soothsay but to alert readers to the seriousness of the threat posed by Iran's nuclear program - and to persuade them that the United States should do something to stop it."

So as the rest of the country watched their cell phones for a text from media-savvy Punxsutawney Phil, New Yorkers were watching Mayor Bloomberg, hoping, praying that Chuck would soothsay an end to the winter's icy embrace.